Fire Cadet Program

Since 1980, the Melbourne Fire Department has offered young men and women between the ages of 14 and 21 an opportunity to be exposed to life in the fire and emergency medical services fields to encourage them to pursue careers in emergency response. Melbourne Fire Cadets are provided training in firefighting, rescue techniques, emergency medical care and leadership development. Our goal is for them to mature with good leadership and decision-making skills, possibly returning to the Melbourne Fire Department in the future as career firefighters, EMTs or paramedics.

The Melbourne Fire Cadet Post 70 has regularly scheduled meetings and training sessions on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays each month, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Melbourne Fire Training Center located at 1980 Hughes Road. Fire Cadets are given responsibilities to conduct their own business meetings and duties involving upkeep of the facility as they would if they were working as firefighters in a station. They are provided training by Melbourne Fire Department personnel, giving them an opportunity to train alongside the men and women who protect our community. As a bonus, once they achieve the required benchmarks with participation and training, they can schedule to join Melbourne Fire crews in the stations and ride along as observers on emergency responses. In addition, they may assist the Melbourne Fire Department with some functions during special events.